As Rasa's words fell, the eyes of everyone present lit up.
None of them felt ashamed of such actions.
After all, they were shinobi—beings synonymous with shadows and deception. Moreover, such things were common practice among the great nations and their hidden villages.
In the original story, Nagato's parents were killed by Konoha shinobi while they were looting resources.
However, Rasa still maintained a certain level of principle, and there were things he had to clarify beforehand.
"But there's one thing I need to make clear. While we are shinobi, born to kill, we still have our pride. In this operation, we are absolutely not to harm civilians."
His statement surprised everyone in the room.
This was completely unlike their usual approach. To these battle-hardened killers, the concept of 'civilians' was meaningless—if they stood on opposite sides, they were enemies.
Their hearts had long grown cold through endless slaughter.
To them, Rasa's words sounded like naive sentimentality. Yet, despite that, none of them saw him as weak. Instead, they felt something indescribable stirring within them.
Ignoring their shock, Rasa continued.
"Our targets are the great nobles. Most of them have terrible reputations, running gambling dens and brothels, amassing the wealth of entire cities. The shinobi world has enjoyed a long period of peace since the last war, and these nobles have undoubtedly hoarded a great deal of valuables—money, grain, minerals, weapons—we will take everything.
To maximize efficiency, Baki, I need you to mobilize the Anbu. In seven days, gather intelligence on these cities and select the targets."
"For this raid on the Land of Fire, I am not bringing any Genin into battle. You may take command of the Genin in the village as you see fit."
"Seven days. From the moment we cross the border into the Land of Fire, you will have exactly seven days. No matter how the battle with Konoha unfolds, we must retreat after that. Seven days—is that enough?"
At that moment, whether it was Elder Ebizō or the others, they all found themselves unexpectedly convinced by Rasa—the Fourth Kazekage, whom they had never truly respected before.
Though they stood on different sides, Rasa's plan was beneficial to everyone involved. No one had a reason to oppose it.
Ebizō quickly responded.
"No problem. Kazekage-sama, when do we launch the attack?"
"In ten days. The Anbu needs time to gather intelligence. For the next seven days, maintain absolute secrecy—we cannot allow Konoha any warning. After that, we will take three days to prepare. Does anyone have any other questions?"
The group exchanged glances, realizing that for the first time, they had reached a unanimous agreement for the village's collective benefit.
Just then, Chiyo suddenly spoke.
"What about me, old woman that I am?"
As one of Sunagakure's most formidable weapons, the puppet corps being left out was clearly unreasonable.
Rasa had anticipated this and immediately explained.
"I need Elder Chiyo to lead the puppet corps in defending the village and preparing to cover our retreat after seven days. Konoha's counterattack won't be easy to evade, and they may even attempt a full-scale retaliation against the Land of Wind."
Only then did everyone realize that Rasa had already accounted for this possibility.
Chiyo had no objections.
"No problem."
"Good. Then start preparing. Secrecy is paramount—this plan's success depends on the element of surprise. Konoha has many spies in our village.
Elder Ebizō, since we've already agreed to let the Daimyō intervene in this war, we must not forget about him."
"I understand. I will request as much funding as possible from the Daimyō."
"Good, then there's nothing more to discuss. Pakura, Mikawa, you may leave and begin preparations. Elder Chiyo, Elder Ebizō, Baki—you stay. There's something else I need to discuss with you."
At Rasa's words, Pakura and Mikawa frowned slightly. However, given his well-thought-out plan, Rasa had temporarily established authority. The two did not voice any discontent and left without protest.
Once they had departed, Rasa turned to Chiyo and Ebizō, his voice firm and commanding.
"I need you to hand over both Bunpuku and Shukaku to me, including all sealing formulas."
The moment those words left his mouth, the previously composed elders snapped to attention, their aged eyes suddenly sharp as they instantly grasped Rasa's true intent.
Chiyo was the first to react, rejecting him without hesitation.
"Impossible! You may be the Kazekage, but the matters of Shukaku and the Jinchūriki are too critical. These were entrusted to us by the Second Kazekage. It is better that we continue to safeguard them."
Rasa was not surprised by her response.
After all, if one were to ask what Sunagakure's most prized possession was, Shukaku would be at the top of the list. Unlike other tailed beasts, Shukaku had always belonged to Sunagakure, captured and sealed by the First Kazekage. The Second Kazekage had even developed puppet techniques and sand manipulation by studying Shukaku's chakra.
Shukaku was deeply intertwined with the village's history and power.
Moreover, the One-Tail represented Sunagakure's greatest military asset—a force of destruction that, if lost, could spell disaster.
But Rasa was determined to take it.
Though Chiyo had refused outright, he remained patient. He knew he had the upper hand.
Seated upon the Kazekage's throne, he leisurely spoke.
"I know the truth about the Third Kazekage."
"!!!"
Both Chiyo and Ebizō's expressions darkened as they frowned deeply, unsure why Rasa had suddenly shifted the topic from the tailed beast to the former Kazekage.
"The Third Kazekage is indeed dead."
This revelation did not surprise them.
Many in the village still held hope that the Third had merely gone missing, but shinobi at the Kage level did not simply disappear. The only logical explanation was that he had been killed.
"Who killed him?"
Ebizō couldn't help but ask.
Rasa, however, did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Chiyo.
"Elder Chiyo, who do you think it was?"
His counter-question stunned her. She instinctively wanted to snap back, but a sudden realization made her body tremble. Her aged face reflected shock as she stared at Rasa in disbelief.
Seeing this, Rasa knew she had figured it out.
Or rather, she had always known the answer in her heart.
After all, there was only one person who had disappeared alongside the Third Kazekage.
The only reason she hadn't considered it seriously was because their power gap had seemed too vast to be possible.
And, deep down, she had not wanted to believe it.
"It seems you understand now, Elder Chiyo. So, what will it be? Shall I say it out loud, or will you hand over Shukaku?"
Despite her status as a village elder and an elite shinobi, Chiyo's face darkened, her voice filled with menace.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No… of course not. I'm simply proposing a trade. Besides, as Kazekage, shouldn't such a power naturally be under my control?"
Chiyo initially wanted to resist, but when she thought of a lonely child's silhouette, her resolve wavered. It was as if all the strength drained from her body, leaving her even more aged than before.
"I understand. I will hand over the tailed beast. Now tell me—where is that child?"
Ebizō, having witnessed everything, was stunned by his sister's unexpected surrender. He had never seen her back down like this.
He didn't understand why—until Rasa spoke again.
"I don't know his exact location. But according to my intelligence, he has transformed himself into a human puppet."
And even the Third Kazekage's corpse…"
Rasa didn't finish the sentence, but Chiyo and Ebizō immediately understood. Even Baki, listening from the sidelines, was horrified.
"How… how is that possible… Sasori, he…"